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A history: Monuments to Courage, a History of Beaver County

mcbooki418p322: The "Rise and Fall" of Reed (cont.), The Water Supply, South Milford Farming District

Company took over the water from Minersville, where Reed people got their water, and transferred that water to the "flats" south of Milford. The land at Reed became so dry that crops failed and the people had the leave their lands and homes and move elsewhere. Most of them went to Beaver or Milford. The Rocky Ford Irrigation Company (Delta Land and Water Company) became involved in litigation over Minersville water rights, in conflict with the water rights of the people of the Lower Valley. This was settled when the company purchased all existing water rights from the Reed land owners. The Reed farms are now used extensively for grazing. Mrs. Jessie White Frazier says she remembers the people living at Reed were "just like one big family." On Christmas Day the 10 or 11 families living there would all gather at one of the homes to celebrate. They went early and stayed all day, enjoying a big Christmas dinner together, and in the evening they would take up the carpet and dance all night. In the wee hours of the next morning they would return to their homes to perform the necessary chores, rest a while, and return to the same place or to another neighbor's home to dance again. THE WATER SUPPLY The first settlers had wells and pumped water by hand. Later, flowing wells were installed in some parts of the town. Behind the Firmage Theater is an artesian well from which, according to Mr. Root, flowed the best water in Milford. This well is now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad. The present excellent water system is the result of gradual development. It was established in 1907. SOUTH MILFORD FARMING DISTRICT Father Escalante was the first white man to enter Milford Valley He said in his diary, "This desert is un-

Company took over the water from Minersville, where Reed people got their water, and transferred that water to the "flats" south of Milford. The land at Reed became so dry that crops failed and the people had the leave their lands and homes and move elsewhere. Most of them went to Beaver or Milford. The Rocky Ford Irrigation Company (Delta Land and Water Company) became involved in litigation over Minersville water rights, in conflict with the water rights of the people of the Lower Valley. This was settled when the company purchased all existing water rights from the Reed land owners. The Reed farms are now used extensively for grazing. Mrs. Jessie White Frazier says she remembers the people living at Reed were "just like one big family." On Christmas Day the 10 or 11 families living there would all gather at one of the homes to celebrate. They went early and stayed all day, enjoying a big Christmas dinner together, and in the evening they would take up the carpet and dance all night. In the wee hours of the next morning they would return to their homes to perform the necessary chores, rest a while, and return to the same place or to another neighbor's home to dance again. THE WATER SUPPLY The first settlers had wells and pumped water by hand. Later, flowing wells were installed in some parts of the town. Behind the Firmage Theater is an artesian well from which, according to Mr. Root, flowed the best water in Milford. This well is now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad. The present excellent water system is the result of gradual development. It was established in 1907. SOUTH MILFORD FARMING DISTRICT Father Escalante was the first white man to enter Milford Valley He said in his diary, "This desert is un-